LIVE : Climbers block oil tanker from Vancouver bridge

Early on the morning of Tuesday July 3, 12 climbers including an Indigenous grassroots leader and Greenpeace activists formed an aerial blockade from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge in Vancouver in the path of oil tanker traffic from the Trans Mountain pipeline terminal.

Why exactly have these activists chosen to put themselves in between tar sands tankers and the ocean? Good question!

The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is a proposal to build a new 1,150 km pipeline between Alberta and the BC coast, alongside an existing 60-year-old pipeline. The new pipeline would almost triple the amount of tar sands oil carried through the existing pipeline, and increase oil tanker traffic on the BC coast sevenfold.

Oil spills from the pipeline or the hundreds of tankers it would bring to the Pacific Coast every year could contaminate drinking water, pollute the ocean or expose millions of people to toxic chemicals, including in Indigenous communities whose territories the proposed pipeline and tankers would cross without consent.

The pipeline would also mean a ramping up of oil extraction in Canada’s tar sands, which would hurt people everywhere by helping to fuel climate-driven super-storms and other disasters. If this weren’t enough, the noise pollution from the anticipated seven-fold increase in tanker traffic could push endangered orcas to extinction.

We can’t let this happen—not while we can still protect everything this pipeline puts at risk.

Want to join in the wave of resistance? Tell Prime Minister Trudeau not to buy-out the Trans Mountain pipeline and tanker project

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Discussion

Thank you for your courageous act to protect our water, air and land, and all the humans and our animal brethren that we share this planet with. Protect our coast, protect our planet ~ beautiful.

The crude-oil tanker ‘Serene Sea’ is currently at the Kinder Morgan Westridge marine terminal. It docked at 6:30 am on July 2. I expect it to be finished loading later today, July 3, but possibly tomorrow.

Thank you for everything you are doing, in the name of climate change. I admire your courage and fortitude, in the face of the federal government. I can think of many other ways the Canadian govt. could spend 4.5 billion dollars, and none of it would have anything to do with oil and tar sands. Prime minister Trudeau will be making a grave mistake if he go ahead with this deal, against what the Canadian taxpayers want him to do. Our future is in his hands, and I don't think he realizes the weight of his decisions.

Awesomeness! These activists are: Courageous, Brave, Beautiful, and Inspiring!
I am so grateful for people who speak up against the evils of the world, thank you Greenpeace!
"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein .

Thank You Greenpeace for your brave, heroic efforts everyday!!!
You are helping bring awareness to the world by blocking the traffic of oil tankers, we are grateful for all you do👍The environmental issues are brought to the public’s Eye through your continued efforts. Stay Safe Always!

Thank you for your courageous efforts to protect the water, air and land from destruction and pollution. You are showing the kind of leadership and deep concern for people's health and well-being that is sorely lacking in the federal government that has sold us all out for a fossil fuel corporation.

Thank you Will George and all the other courageous protectors of the environment!
It's not too late to persuade Prime Minister Crudeau that he and the Kinder Morgan Expansion Project are on the wrong side of history! Much love and support from New Westminster, BC!

You are true peaceful warriors protecting our Mother, her waters, and the first people of this land. I am traveling to ceremonies, will be away from computer, but please know that you are all in my prayers. Greatest love and respect to you.

I am so inspired by the fearless people suspended from the Second Narrows Bridge. Thank you for taking this bold action and for speaking loudly and clearly against the oil pipeline and tanker expansion. You have many supporters and the world is watching!

Increasing petroleum production especially from oil sands when President Macron is appealing to wealthy nations to do more to meet Paris Accord is against everything I believe. It’s a shame that this kind of action is having to be taken. Congratulations Greenpeace on your courage.

Although I do support the buyout of the pipeline from American big oil & gas by Trudeau so Canada can take it over save 5.5 billion dollars & either fix & repair leaks & bring up safety standards &/or hopefully, shut it down completely, I don't support it's expansion, the tarsands, fracking or transporting hazardous bituminous toxic fuels by tanker on B.C. waters. So I stand with you in spirit in your brave attempt to stop further pipeline expansion & the coasts of B.C. & California.May God bless & protect you all in your efforts to protect B.C. & Canada & the world from toxic spills & global warming & climate change! Peace & love!

A crude oil tanker named "Serene Sea"? No irony there. I guess they think giving it a name like that is a form of camouflage. If only they spent as much time protecting the planet as they do trying to cover up what they are really up to. Thank you for all you are doing for all of us. Exciting and courageous actions indeed!

You are brave souls, not to mention creative. You symbolize just how badly we, in B.C. do not want this pipeline. I can't thank you enough for the service you are rendering for all life on this planet.
Be careful out there.
Cheers for a better, cleaner, healthier world.

Thank you for your continued efforts and risks to protect our environment, our future generation’s environment and the respect and regard for the rights of our Indigenous Peoples. I hope today contributes to some positive change on this subject.

Thank you for taking action! This is peaceful and powerful at the same time. There is only a future if there is a balance of interests between ecology and economy.
The time of fossil energy is over. Why investing billions of dollars in a dying industry.
The tax money should be spend better. The future is Green. Or should I better say the only future for us is green. That's a fact.

Thank you so much for taking a stand and protecting our environment, water, air, land, and the health of the people. We need to stand together united to beat this. We do not need pipelines that will destroy our environment and our water.
For example, BP has been operating for 60 days and just spilled 136000 L into our ocean 330km off coast of N.S. It isn't IF a spill occurs, it is WHEN a spill occurs.
This dangerous plan goes against the wishes of Indigenous nations, threatens coastal fisheries, the endangered animals and the long-term health of the coast. This spill is proof that these projects are a disaster waiting to happen. We can’t risk another Deepwater Horizon.
KinderMorgan, Trans Mountain, BP, and other oil companies have been notoriously irresponsible in its handling of risk assessment and oil spills, especially when it came to Deepwater Horizon. It took 85 days to cap the well once it burst -- and BP used insufficient methods to contain the oil, including booms that missed 70-80% of the oil and dispersants which were still experimental at the time.
This is not the way we should be heading. People and health before corporations and profits.
Thanks so much guys for hanging in there and showing the world how to lead in environmental issues! You have my full support! Save our future.

I was so glad to hear about your efforts. We can tell the stories that need to be told--however, many of those who have made the decisions we oppose experience existence on this planet in a very different way from ourselves. I hope that the passion you are expressing, along with the dedication of those of us supporting you--can help those others open up to the realities we recognize everyday, staring us in the face with such urgency.

After having written a letter to Trudeau and others, I would like to let you know how grateful I am to you and those individuals who are now engaged, and who will be engaged in the future, in acts of civil disobedience. Although illegal, these acts are, in many ways the purest form of democracy in action. Some of the most crucial legislation we have seen fought for in the past, was often fought for when resistance was the only option left.

At this stage of my life writing is what I can offer, as the courage to confront opposition is slowly ebbing away. May all of you willing to place your lives and health on the line be protected as you try to do the right thing to protect us all. Many thanks.

We are so grateful for the courage and determination of principled people like yourselves, who risk so much for us all. When we win this battle against pipelines and Kinder Morgan in particular, it will be largely due to this, and the other acts of civil disobedience that people have been prepared to sacrifice themselves to engage in. You are an inspiration and a true defender of Mother Earth. Thank you.

While I'm extremely concerned about climate change, I disagree strongly with Greenpeace's attempts to block the Trans Mountain expansion. Thinking globally, we can use our own fossil fuel usage with carbon pricing, which is exactly what BC has done, and what the Trudeau government is doing. But trying to reduce global emissions by blocking Canadian oil exports is ineffective: importing countries will just get their oil elsewhere. (If I buy all my groceries from my local Safeway, and it shuts down, I won't starve.) It doesn't affect the price of oil, either: OPEC has spare production capacity. And it's costly: Scotiabank estimates the cost to the Canadian economy is $15B/year. All that blocking Trans Mountain will do is destroy public support in Alberta for action on climate change. I really think the environmental movement is in danger of squandering the political opportunity provided by Notley's willingness to halt the growth in Alberta's emissions.

Dear Russil Wvong,
I read your comment. I think that these protectors have an awareness of the science and the situation that you are not considering. Please watch this factually-based film:
https://vimeo.com/272886759.
After watching this, I hope that you will reconsider your statement.
Sarama
www.livingsalishsea.ca

THANK YOU ALL FOR DOING WHAT A LOT OF US WOULD LIKE TO DO!!! i appreciate and love you all for your courage, strength, and tapping into the wisdom that tells us how unhealthy tankers, old outdated ways are. that you stand up for what we know to be all about money and not about the health of our beautiful planet and all things in, on and around it.

I deeply admire what you're doing. Thank you very much for helping show Canada and the world that all nations must build and sustain a #cleaneconomy to preserve life on this #livingearth and that our elected officials must represent most Canadians' desire for a sustainable future. Governments must be held accountable.

Thank you for being there and bringing attention to this issue! You are HEROES to so many Canadians! And one day you'll be able to tell your grandchildren how you helped to save the planet with your dedication, hard work, and wonderful humanity!

Thank you for your courage to stop this insanity. The days of fossil fuels are ending. The days of dirty tar sand oil should never have started. I hope your blocking an oil tanker from Vancouver Bridge gets international coverage. It's time to stop big Money Oil barons from trying to rule and ruin our world to satisfy their greed for profits. There are so many alternatives now. Our First Nations have spoken out against this. Many Environmentalists have spoken out against this. It's time the Prime Minister stopped this insanity.

I got arrested at the Tar Sands Action on Parliament Hill a few years ago but never rapped off a bridge! This is bold action needed to counter our PM's reckless plan to expand planet-killing tar sands with...OUR MONEY. No Way No Pipeline.
Black Snake- Basta!

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
The determination of the protesters hanging from the Ironworkers' Bridge and the hundreds who have been arrested, the thousands who have marched and protested should convince you that the fight against Kinder Morgan's pipeline is deeply rooted in the determination of people in BC and across Canada to prevent this from being built. It is destructive to our environment and continues our foolish march down the fossil fuel road to a world that is unfit for human habitation. Why are you continuing to support and promote it. Stop before it's too late!!
Jim & Eva Manly

Based on previous similar-sized tankers loading times, I expect the Serene Sea to spend about 45 hours at the Kinder Morgan dock. It should be finished loading very early tomorrow morning, July 4. I expect it then to go to an anchorage at the mouth of Indian Arm.

Here's the live view - as of 9:45 am, the Serene Sea is at anchor. Red dots are tankers, green are container ships, dark blue are passenger ships. https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-123.027/centery:49.298/zoom:12

Way to go you Rock Gods & Goddesses!! You so inspired me I called Greenpeace this aft, spoke with Marie & made a donation!! I’ll continue to support Greenpeace & all you amazing activists!! United we “hang”!! Bibwak on guys!! In love, light & strength!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💕💕💕🕉🕉🕉🌎🌎🌎🌎🐳🐳🐳🐋🐋🐋

Thanks for your bravery and vision. You speak for me and so many other Canadians gobsmacked by the Trudeau government's climate-change-denying oil export double down. As if it's still 1970! As if we aren't an arctic nation, sure to feel climate change first, and worst. As if the BC coast has no value. Here's my question: if the pipeline and tankers were required by law to carry insurance equal to the full cost of a catastrophic spill wouldn't this dirty-oil business model collapse? Why aren't they? Love and courage to y'all!

Good for you.
BP started leaking 61 days after installation. There is no such a thing as a safe pipeline.
For someone who is supposed to be concerned about the environment he isn't showing it very well, but then we all know the government is run by the banks, pharmaceutical companies, and oil companies right.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was inspiring to see this action today, brilliant! Our P.M. needs to take notice, because it take guts and commitment, something he is sorely missing.
I admirer your bravery, stay safe and I can't believe your staying overnight! Thanks for protecting our beautiful inlet, why would anyone want to put it at risk is beyond me.
Growing up in Van I would see the inlet and look up to the mountains every day when I went to school, first thing I thought about when I heard about crude oil expansion was, HOW DARE THEY RISK OUR BEAUTIFUL INLET!!
Take note Prime Minister Trudeau, you do not understand how precious it is all to us.
Therefore stand behind us, instead of Alberta, but if you don't, we will still Stand.
Thanks again Climbers!

Words cannot express how grateful I am for all you are doing to protect our environment. I am in complete awe of your courage and dedication. You are true warriors.... true heroes.... Sending you blessings and gratitude.

Bravo Greenpeace protectors of our water, earth, and air! Thank you so much for your courageous peaceful action to stop the Kinder Morgan pipeline. I was overjoyed this morning when I saw you floating with your beautiful flags, suspended from the Iron Workers' Memorial Bridge. Hugs and love to you all.

To the seven brave souls who are putting themselves at risk for the protection of the land, water and air: Today I stood on the bridge over the railway tracks (several times!), under the 2nd Narrows Bridge, marvelling at the beauty that was before me. The image of the seven of you suspended from the bridge, the grace of the giant banners blowing in the wind, was powerful beyond words. I am so proud of you all, and feel gratitude from the bottom of my heart - thank you!

Many thanks to Greenpeace team and to brave activists for fighting to protect our Planet to benefit also those ones don’t understand the importance of your commitment! Thank you so much
You are AMAZING 🌈

Love and prayers to all of you climbers on the bridge and to all the warriors on the ground! You guys are my birthday present on this 4th of July! Be strong and be safe!!! Also, with regards to the financing, it is not only the banks that finance these disastrous projects, also pension funds and other investors who buy government bonds allocate their money to unnecessary infrastructure projects that are dangerous for humanity. By buying government bonds we give cheap money to governments. Every investor who holds government bonds in his portfolio should ask what do the governments do with my money and is that in my interest? And even if you don't own these bonds personally, ask your pension fund or social security insurer how they invest your money!
Peace out to everybody!

Stay strong...you are in my mind...It's great what you are doing...i wish i could be with you...but i'm too old for those activities...
God bless you!
Susanne Visser
Greenpeace Friedrichshafen, Germany

Mary, mind the ropes- want to see you back here on Salt Spring! !Love and respect to you and your fellows. My mum(94) says she'd love to join you - she doesn't quite have the hang of the descender though. We'll keep going to the KM gates though.

Thank You All!
Your courage is inspiring! When all is said and done, we remember those in life who stand for what is right & just. Justin Trudeau should take some lessons from you all. Hang tough, your action are appreciated👍🏻

Way to go Greenpeace! This is the kind of action that gets attention and makes a point. If a tanker can be stopped once, it can be stopped again. Very powerful......and necessary........to get the message across to the oil barons that seem bent on wrecking this planet. It is so obviously time to change how we do things. The risk of not changing is too great. We need sustainable energy use NOW!

Well done! The potential increased tanker traffic is one of the most disturbing aspects of this business. Because of your actions the chances of the pipeline ever being built are considerably lessened.

We have to make tough decisions to battle climate change, and this action is critical. Across Canada people are trying to make changes in their lives to decrease their impacts on this crisis, but we need to do more. After Trudeau was voted in giving the impression that he would make these tough decisions, we find out that it's business as usual on the environmental front. Our planet deserves so much better.
Thank God for Greenpeace! Your action is dynamic and empowering.

I write from Central Oregon to send my warmest greetings and encouragement to the 12 of you today. As a long-time climate change activist, I am in awe of your courage, determination, and vision. Stay safe, and God bless your efforts. Peace be with you!